Black Ghost Knife died - behavior ?

johnq

johnq

Registered Member
Jan 13, 2006
2
0
0
Western NY (usa)
www.silverfishgallery.com
Our BGK recently died and I thought I'd post here before getting another.

He was acting unusual (?) for the past few days. I have a "air stick" at the bottom of our tank and the BGK was swimming/floating in the bubble stream at various times both day & night. Just about any time I check the tank, he was in the bubbles, usually head down but not always. Some of our other fish (gold dojo loach & shubunkins) also seem to enjoy swimming though the bubble stream on occasion but not nearly as often as the BGK.

He had been in the tank for approximately two months and he didn't exhibit this behavior until recently. I have a hollow log and a Titanic ornament (both of which he would visit) as well as numerous fake plants which he also hid in.

From what I've read the BGK is nocturnal but ours seemed to be quite active at all times of the day even given the variety of hiding spots. He didn't appear to be ill and seemed to become more active at evening feeding time (when I turn off the air stick) but I was wondering if this bubble behavior was an indicator of health problems and I should have realized it as a warning sign.

My wife regularly checks or water conditions so I don't think that was a problem. We did treat the tank for ick (reduced levels because of the BGK) last month and this didn't seem to bother him or affect his behavior.

I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Thanks in advance,
John Q.
 
what are tank parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, temp.....). How often and how much wate do you change? What was diet? what are other fish in tank? how many? how large is tank? how is tank decorated?
 
how did you treat for ich? if you used a chemical from a bottle there's your answer. You should have removed him from the tank untill the treatment was done and used an alternitive treatment with it,
Knives of all kinds are scaleless fish and the bottle stuff is for scaled fish. Least thats what I got from it. You should also have a tube in there where it can hide if it wants, Mine hid for a month now it annoys my other fish but other then that I would not know other then they are very touchy to water changes as far as paramiters go...
 
sounds as if he was having breathing issues, it's possible the Ich infestion damaged his gills. I beleive also being a scaless fish he's have a half dosage requirement, much like the other scaless fish, like P. Pictus
 
it may or may not have been your ich treatment. i perceived that the ich treatment was awhile back (more than 10 days).

I have used what some people here would consider as "harsh" chemicals to treat ich that the lfs introduced into my tank 3 years ago (never trust the lfs to do tank cleaning for you while out of town--lol). The Black Ghost Knife had no problem at 25%-50% of strength dosing. Like you I cut back due to the delicate nature of the BGK (and the clown and other loaches it was living with).

Fish health often transcends the obvious answer. The range of questions i asked above should usually be used to define the "why" behind fish disease and death. At the same time the only conclusive way is with bacteria stains and tissue samples under a microscope. Not convinced you have the equipment for that.
 
John, I'm so sorry to hear that you lost your BGK fish. Mine died last week and I really need to know why before I get another, hence me joining this board today. I usually post on Fishcrazy but there are not so many members.

Stanley the knife, LOL, was 5 years old and began behaving out of character. My LFS suggested that it could be the algae magnet that stayed in the tank that was upsetting his electrical field. Apparently, over time this can drive them crazy. I removed the magnet and waited the three days they said it would take him to get better.

After further research, I earthed the tank because someone else mentioned stray voltage may be upsetting his lateral line. By this time he was either sitting in the bubbles or doing loop the loops and nose diving into the sand. The next day he was dead.

All the other fish are fine, so it is a puzzle.
They should live to a good 10-15 years. I really would like to know why he died.

A few months ago, he had just begun to eat bloodworms from my fingers. I am so sad.
 
I am also sorry to see knives die, They are magnificent fish...wonderful personality even tho mine hates the nets now....(moves by hand now)
 
Sully said:
what are tank parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, temp.....). How often and how much wate do you change? What was diet? what are other fish in tank? how many? how large is tank? how is tank decorated?
Click to expand...

The water readings as of Jan 9, 2006 are as follows:

alk: 120
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 40 - 80 (slightly high due to new Bio media added Jan. 1st ?)
ph: 7.2
temp.: 76 F

Diet: frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, freeze-dried tubifex, F-D bloodworrms & plankton (other food added for other fish as well)

tank & fish: 55 gal with 1 pleco, 1 gold dojo loach, 3 glass catfish, 3 tetras, 3 diamond tetras, 2 shubunkins, 1 glass tetra, 1 snail (NOTE: the pleco is brought in from outdoor pond during winter and the 2 shubinkins will be going out with him in spring)

Decorations: left side has hollow log & fake plants, right side has Titanic ornament, fake plants and bubble wall - an image can be seen at:
http://www.jqadams.com/pond/tank1.jpg

Ick treatment was four times in mid Dec. with Jungle Labs: Clear Tank Buddies (tablets) and diluted to 1/4 dose as a cautionary measure. (wife was paranoid). 25% water changes before each treatment.

Thanks for the replies. I hope the above information can help determine what the problem may have been.

John Q.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom